Boneyard Wreath

The Dollar Store has skeleton garlands with 4 mini skeletons dangling from a length of twine.

I had seen a large Halloween wreath made with big bones, but I wanted something smaller.

So I had fun disassembling several skeletons to make a mini skeleton wreath of my own.

While I was busy gathering the materials to make the wreath, the skeletons were having their own fun.

I didn’t know skeletons could ski… and he isn’t even using skis!

Doesn’t he have great form!

Materials for the Boneyard Wreath

2 Black 9 inch Paper Plates

1 Skeleton Garland (I bought 2 just in case I needed more.)

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors

White Glue

Nylon Fishing Line

Directions for the Boneyard Wreath

1. Working on the bottom of the plate, draw a circle in the center. I used an old plastic lid and eyeballed the middle of the plate.

2. Lay the plate ring on top of another upside down plate and trace the center circle onto the second plate. By tracing the first plate circle, the plates should match.

3. Turn both plates face down, and glue one ring on top of the other, matching the center circles.

I used clothespins around the inner and outer edges to hold the rings together while the glue dried.

4. Take the skeletons apart. Leave one skeleton torso and skull together – but remove the arms and legs. Set this skeleton aside.

Cut or twist all the heads, arms, and legs off the rest of the skeletons.

Leave one or two legs and arms complete. Cut the rest apart into various combinations.

Cut the rib cage from the hip bone section, leaving the spine attached.

5. After the glued plate ring has dried, start hot gluing the skeleton parts all around the plate.

I like fewer parts so you can see and identify them. You can add many more bones and really pile them on. (You will need more than 1 garland for this.)

A neat trick for removing the hot glue strings: after you’ve picked off whatever glue strings come off easily, turn your hair dryer on high and run it over the glue strings.
After only a few seconds, the strings will melt into your project.

6. When you have the bones glued on to your liking, decide where the top will be.

Make 2 small holes just above the center hole to hang the skeleton.

Directly above the 2 small holes, near the top edge, make another hole for hanging the boneyard wreath.

7. Cut 2 pieces of fishing line 10 or 12 inches long.

Using the skeleton torso you set aside, thread the ends of one piece of fishing line through the top of the rib cage – just under the top bone – from front to back.

Pull the ends to the back of skeleton neck and tie a knot there.

Thread the ends of the fishing line through each of the 2 holes on the paper plate, from front to back and tie a knot near the end.

Adjust the length of the line until the skeleton torso is hanging where you want it.

8. To finish the boneyard wreath, thread the second piece of fishing line through the top hole of the plate.

Tie a knot and hang your skeleton wreath.

Tips

I bought a package of black paper plates at the Dollar Store. Even though the plates are white on the bottom, it doesn’t show when the wreath is done.

You could spray the plate bottom black before adding the skeleton.

The plastic plates were too deep for the way I wanted the wreath to look, so I couldn’t use them.

Hi! I’m stopping by from the marvelous monday link party (I get to co host this week). This is great! And, how clever of you to take apart the skeletons to make this wreath. I have a hard time thinking “outside the box.”

You are One clever lady! How great that you used a paper plate and some dollar store skeletons. I have some of both.. can’t wait to create this with the Kids!
Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus

Noreen, this wreath is awesome! I love that it’s not the typical fall wreath and your thrifty-ness is even better. Just wanted to let you know I am featuring you tomorrow for the Get Your DIY On challenge! Have a great weekend

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